Route core element 5: Digital environments

This resource list has been created to support the T Level Technical Qualification in Digital Support Services.

This section of the specification presents an opportunity to develop an understanding of digital technology in daily life: why we should think holistically in terms of a digital environment instead of discrete devices and apps. Increasingly we live through our personal screens; we work, play, socialise, and learn digitally. The shift to remote everything during the Covid-19 pandemic was another step in a decade long march toward the digitisation of everyday life made possible by innovations in media, information, and communication technology.

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First, you will learn about hardware and software and the difference between them; next you will look at the hardware components of a computer system, then at some of the different operating systems. Finally you will consider emerging technologies and the type of impact they have on everyday life. This will aid in the delivery of R5.1

Computer networking is a communication tool that enables the convenient exchange of information and resources between two physical devices by physical as well as wireless means the physical means being cables and the wireless means being internet technology. The concept of computer networking is simplified by a standardised classification model called the Operating System Interconnection (OSI Model). The OSI Model breaks down each of the conceptually similar functions into a framework of seven layers where each layer can communicate with the layer adjacent to it. This resource covers content relating to R5.3

Optical-fibre communications became commercially viable in the 1970s and innovation continues today. This free course, Digital communications, will illustrate how very high data rates can be transmitted over long distances through optical fibres. You will learn how these fibres are linked, examine the technology used and assess the future direction of this continually developing area of communication. This online course has 4 sections that are related to R5.2.

This free course looks at some of the principles underpinning communications technology. It looks at the properties of signals and media (such as optical fibre and radio waves), error control, data compression, and the principles of 4G mobile communications, wi-fi and DSL broadband. This online course has 4 sections that are related to R5.2.

Information security underpins the commercial viability and profitability of enterprises of all sizes and the effectiveness of public sector organisations. This free course begins by explaining why information security and its management are important for any modern organisation and to every individual. You need to be familiar with an organisation, such as your employer, to study this course. This online course has 4 sections that are related to R5.6.

This free course, Introducing computing and IT, provides a general overview of how digital technologies have come to dominate virtually every aspect of the modern world and some guidance on how to prepare for this digital life. It raises awareness of the importance of data security and online safety. It also provides an explanation of the internal structure and workings of a typical computer and describes hard and solid state drives in some detail and will provide useful for coverage of R5.1.

This free course, An introduction to computers and computer systems, challenges how we view computers through the examples of processors in kitchen scales and digital cameras, as well as examining the work of art that, at heart, is a computer. You will also explore how computers are connected together to achieve even more than when working alone. This course will provide information for coverage of R5.1

For everything to be interconnected on the internet the technologies in use need to be configured as well as programmed. Configuration gives you the opportunity to adapt each technology to a given requirement meaning that you may easily adapt the IoE from one smart home to another or one smart city to another as each setting is likely to have subtle differences. R5.2

In this video tutorial, you will learn a simplified introduction to the computer system. This video tutorial is specially designed for the beginners to learn the fundamental concepts related to computer. This is a visual introduction for use with R5.1.

This resource looks inside a typical computer and shows some of the main components and what they look like, as well as discusses some of the differences between laptops and desktops. This is a visual introduction for use with R5.1

Network types depend on how large they are and how much of an area they cover geographically. This video explains the difference between a LAN vs WAN, along with other networks and is related to R5.2.

Welcome to the IT Free Training video on the OSI Model. This video will look at the OSI Model and in particular, how it relates to the internet protocol. Related to R5.3.

This video with Frank Chodacki from IBM Cloud, maps what a virtual networking architecture looks like and explains the many benefits it provides users such as the ability to interconnect between VMs, virtual servers and other related components in a virtualised computing environment. R5.4

Have you ever wondered "What are cloud services?" This high-level tutorial explains the meaning, definition, and impact of cloud services for beginners. This resource can be used for coverage of R5.5.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella takes the virtual stage at #MSIgnite to discuss how we're innovating across the tech stack to help organisations, big and small, address real-world challenges. This video provides real-world context to the topics in R5.6.

Computer systems consist of hardware and software. Hardware is the physical components of the computer, such as the central processing unit (CPU), hard disk, monitor, keyboard and mouse. Software is the programs that run on a computer. Introductory material for use with R5.1.

The internal components of a computer system consist of the hardware required to process data and to allow the processor to communicate with other devices such as secondary storage, display screens, and printers. This resources is related to R5.1.

A network protocol is an established set of rules that determine how data is transmitted between different devices in the same network. Essentially, it allows connected devices to communicate with each other, regardless of any differences in their internal processes, structure or design. This resource can be used for coverage of R5.3.

OSI stands for Open Systems Interconnection. It has been developed by ISO – ‘International Organization for Standardization‘, in the year 1984. It is a seven layer architecture with each layer having specific functionality to perform. All these seven layers work collaboratively to transmit the data from one person to another across the globe. This resource can be used for coverage of R5.3.

Just like people, it’s important for computers to have a common way to communicate with each other. Today most computers do this through Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). TCP/IP is typically built into computers and is largely automated, but it can be useful to understand the TCP/IP model, particularly when you’re setting up a computer to connect with other systems. This article explains how TCP/IP works. This resource can be used for coverage of R5.3.

A virtual machine, commonly shortened to just VM, is no different than any other physical computer like a laptop, smart phone, or server. It has a CPU, memory, disks to store your files, and can connect to the internet if needed. While the parts that make up your computer (called hardware) are physical and tangible, VMs are often thought of as virtual computers or software-defined computers within physical servers, existing only as code. This resource has validity when covering R5.4.

A virtual machine (VM) is a tightly isolated software container that can run operating systems and applications as if it were a physical computer. Although there is no hardware required for a virtual machine to operate, it still contains a CPU, RAM hard disk and network interface card (NIC), just like a physical computer. This resource can be used for coverage of R5.4 R5.5.

Cloud computing offers your business many benefits. It allows you to set up what is essentially a virtual office to give you the flexibility of connecting to your business anywhere, any time. With the growing number of web-enabled devices used in today's business environment (e.g. smartphones, tablets), access to your data is even easier. This will provide a good introduction to R5.5.

Digital resilience can be thought of as embodying the rapid convergence of: (i) cyber security and protection against threats to digital assets; (ii) business continuity planning – companies preparedness to maintain critical business functions in the event of a disruption; and (iii) digital governance, risk and compliance (GRC), which enables companies to keep digital machinery ‘on track’ and aligned with corporate objectives. This resource provides real-world context and a current scenario for the need of digital resilience, this can be used for R5.6.

This virtual lab is an interactive way to practice networking, IoT, and cybersecurity skills and can be used as a learning environment for courses, distance learning, professional training, work planning, or just to have some fun. To download the latest version, enrol in one of the self-paced Packet Tracer courses in a new learner experience on SkillsForAll.com.

Packet Tracer is an essential tool on the T-Level digital pathway and can be used for many different elements, in this element it would provide beneficial when introducing computer networks covered in R5.2.